Minnesota Wild (43-26-12) 98pts 4th in the Central
2.42 Goals For (25th)
2.36 Goals Against (6th)
17.7% Power Play (17th)
79.3% Penalty Kill (26th)
Top 5 Scorers:
1. #29 Jason Pominville ~ 29G 28A = 57pts
2. #11 Zach Parise ~ 28G 27A = 55pts
3. #9 Mikko Koivu ~ 11G 42A = 53pts
4. #26 Matt Moulson ~ 23G 27A = 50pts
5. #20 Ryan Suter ~ 8G 35A = 43pts
Top 3 PIM’s:
1. #21 Kyle Brodziak ~ 61 PIM’s
2. #39 Nate Prosser ~ 58 PIM’s
3. #24 Matt Cooke ~ 54 PIM’s
Top Goaltenders:
1. #35 Darcy Kuemper (12-8-4) 2.43GAA .915SV% 2SO
2. #30 Ilya Bryzgalov (12-8-8) 2.57GAA .913SV% 3SO
3. #33 John Curry (1-0-0) 2.00GAA .956SV%
Vs.
Nashville Predators (37-32-12) 86pts 6th in the Central
2.56 Goals For (20th)
2.84 Goals Against (23rd)
18.7% Power Play (12th)
80.3% Penalty Kill (25th)
Top 5 Scorers:
1. #6 Shea Weber ~ 22G 33A = 55pts
2. #27 Patric Hornqvist ~ 22G 30A = 52pts
3. #12 Mike Fisher ~ 20G 29A = 49pts
4. #15 Craig Smith ~ 22G 26A = 48pts
5. #7 Matt Cullen ~ 10G 29A = 39pts
Top 3 PIM’s:
1. #16 Rich Clune ~ 152 PIM’s
2. #28 Paul Gaustad ~ 61 PIM’s
3. #12 Mike Fisher ~ 60 PIM’s
Top Goaltenders:
1. #30 Carter Hutton (19-11-4) 2.61GAA .910%SP 1SO
2. #35 Pekka Rinne (10-10-4) 2.77GAA .902%SP 2SO
October 3, 2013. That is when this long, crazy season officially started. Today marks the official end of the regular season. This game is one of 10 games to put the stamp on the end of the season. While our game does absolutely nothing for the standings, by the end of the night, we will officially know all of the matchups for the first round of the playoffs for the sixteen teams involved. Yet while we cannot move up or down in the standings, all of our potential opponents can. And it will be interesting to see what kind of jockeying will happen today in order to get the Wild as an opponent. As I write this, the Detriot-St. Louis game is being played. That game, along with the Colorado-Anaheim game, being played simultaneously as Minnesota’s game, will determine who the Wild will face. As of now, that opponent is the Avalanche. However, we all know things can (and often do) change. I will say this though. Go Detroit, Go Colorado.
Heading into this final game of the season and final matchup with Nashville, the Wild are 3-1 against the Predators. A strong, decisive win against Nashville, would be the best way to end the season. The first round, no matter who the opponent is, is going to be tough. I want to see a Wild team that can say to any opponent, “we’re here and we’re not going to get pushed around.” And trust me, Nashville has some people who are willing to push their opponents. With today being that last game, that is what I am afraid of. Considering how Minnesota has continued to fight this entire season, fighting through injuries, fighting through poor play, to suffer now from another of those serious injuries would be beyond unfortunate. Minnesota simply cannot afford any kind of season-ending injury. Even a fourth-line injury.
The craziest part of this season has been the tale of the crease. Usually when a team has dressed as many goaltenders in one season as Minnesota has, you rarely find success let alone a playoff appearance. Most teams fall apart when they have to support that many different goaltending personalities. Yet for some bizarre reason, it has worked for Minnesota. In fact, it may have created a stronger team mentality. A team mentality that has perhaps been missing since the epic trip to the Western Conference Finals in 2003. Each time a goaltender has fallen due to injury, the Wild skaters have had to regroup, and stand tall in front of their last line of defense. Minnesota took a chance on Ilya Bryzgalov knowing they needed help in the crease due to injuries. So far, the fact that all it took to acquire him was a mere fourth round draft pick. The part I love about the trade and his success in Minnesota, is that it drives Philadelphia fans bonkers. Hopefully the cases Bryzagalov and Rick DiPietro will serve as cautionary tales to not only Minnesota but the league as a whole to not issue expensive, long-term contracts to goaltenders. They are one of the more fragile positions on a team. Wild fans have been feeling the pain of the contract issued to Niklas Backstrom, however his contract was no where as bad as the ones paid to Bryzgalov and DiPietro.
Will tonight be a case of “happily ever after” to end the season or another worrisome game as we head into the playoffs? The end of the season is now upon us, and I only hope we get the happy ending tonight.
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